RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Internships
History students have the opportunity to integrate theory and research with practical experience through internships. Internships provide students with opportunities to explore careers, acquire professional experience, and prepare for post-graduate employment. Students can also earn academic for their internships credit, facilitated by the Office for Undergraduate Students.
Villanova’s History students benefit from a large network of undergraduate and graduate alumni that work in a wide array of professional fields, from business to teaching to law to advertising. A number of department graduates work at places like Fort Ticonderoga, the Museum of the American Revolution, the Chemical Heritage Foundation, the Constitution Center and historic preservation consulting firms. Many alums are eager to help place current students in internships or arrange shadowing opportunities. History department faculty also help students complete applications for competitive programs.
Current Students: Contact Whitney Martinko, PhD about history-related internships
The benefits an internship are numerous and include:
- Gaining an understanding of an industry’s standards and challenges.
- Exploring personal and professional interests and strengths
- Determining fit within an organization’s culture
- Networking, building relationships, and developing professional contacts
- Developing professional writing and presentation skills
- Prioritizing time and responsibilities, while managing projects
- Testing aspirations and goals in the workplace
- Setting new aspirations and goals based on the internship experience
An academic major is simply one facet of a student’s life. There are many other factors that contribute to career exploration and management, including experiential learning. Employers care about students’ career readiness and seek to hire students who possess such skills and clearly articulate them.
Phi Alpha Theta History Honors Society
High-achieving students from across the College who have completed at least four history courses at Villanova are invited to join the Phi Alpha Theta History Honors Society. Every year, the Department of History hosts the annual Phi Alpha Theta History Honors Society Induction Ceremony and Brunch. Faculty, staff, family and friends proudly gather to celebrate undergraduate and graduate students’ induction into the Society.
Academic Advising
Every student majoring in History has a faculty advisor to guide students as they map out their academic journeys.
Professional Development and Career Outcomes
The skills learned in the study of History are in demand in today's world. Explore our Careers page to find out more about professional opportunities as well as the career paths of recent graduates.
Special Projects and Centers
The Albert Lepage Center for History in the Public Interest offers several student opportunities. Our students also help with The Rooted Project, which explores Villanova's ties to slavery on the Main Line, and the Last Seen project, which is recovering stories of families separated in the domestic slave trade.
Pre-Law Opportunities and Resources
Students majoring in History may add a Pre-Law concentration to focus their studies and cultivate the essential skills for a career in the legal field. Students interested in pursuing law school are encouraged to check out Villanova's Pre-Law Advising to connect with an advisor for one-on-one discussions about the application process, career paths and more.
College and University Resources
In addition to resources and opportunities through the History Department, Villanova provides support to undergraduate students in all aspects of their collegiate experience and beyond through the centralized services of the Office for Undergraduate Students, Office of Education Abroad and Career Center.
